Bill's Newscast: Water in Short Supply

Catch 22

Today is the last day for the Catch-22 program, but cash rewards will continue to be offered for information that leads to the arrests of the featured felons. Twenty-two felons have been featured this month and so far, only 61 year old Michael Stokes has been arrested. Since Prescott Police arrested Stokes without a tip, no reward was offered. Yavapai Silent Witness Director Steve Skurja says this program is done twice a year. Skurja explains they receive a lot of calls about the featured felons. The final suspect this month is 34 year old Robert Celaya Junior, who’s wanted by Prescott Valley Police on endangerment charges. Celaya is a Native American man who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. His last known address was on Nace Lane in Prescott Valley. If you have information on this or any of the featured Catch-22 suspects, you could earn a 500 dollar cash reward. Call Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232 with that information. View photos and details of each day’s suspect online at yavapaisw.com.

Fire Ban in place

Yavapai County now has a fire ban in place. Agencies such as the Prescott and Coconino National Forests, the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Forestry and all area fire departments and districts have entered into fire restrictions. A determination of fire emergency has been made and Yavapai County Supervisor Rowle Simmons has signed an interim order enacting a fire ban. This means all open fires and campfires are prohibited on private and public lands, and so are fireworks. Exemptions include petroleum fueled stoves or lanterns and enclosed charcoal barbecue grills operated in residential yards. Residents and visitors are urged to use extreme caution in the use of stoves, lanterns or grills. The ban will stay in effect until the fire risk has decreased. The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors approved the ban yesterday.

Fiscal Budget for PV

Prescott Valley residents offered comments on the Fiscal Year 2018 budget last Thursday. Town Councilman Michael Whiting says a public hearing will be held on the budget before final adoption is considered. Town Manager Larry Tarkowski describes the total budget amount. Last month Council held 2 study sessions with Department heads to review their budgets. Tentative budget adoption occurred 2 weeks later. Tonight’s Town Council meeting will be held in the Library Auditorium on Civic Circle.

NBA Development League now known as the G League

It’s official, the NBA Development League has a new name. The NBA and Gatorage have announced the NBA’s minor league will now be known as the G League. Starting with the 2017-18 season, the NBA G League will feature 26 teams, an expansion of 4 teams since last season. One of the new teams that joined the League in 2016-17 was the Northern Arizona Suns. The Phoenix Suns are the parent team for Northern Arizona, which plays home games at the Prescott Valley Event Center. For upcoming season this fall, the G League will unveil new on-court uniforms and collaborate with the Gatorade Sports Science Institute on programs to enhance player performance and recovery.

Cordes Lakes is very, very low on money

Cordes Lakes water customers are being asked to reduce their usage. Yavapai County spokesman David McAtee explains why this 50% reduction is being put into effect. McAtee says bottled water is available at the Mayer Fire Station in Cordes Lakes for customers who may need it. McAtee says the water system will be shut off overnight. The shut-down will be evaluated each day. All the tanks, equipment and wells are operating, but the system has not been able to keep up with demand.